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It is hoped that the collider will find evidence of dark matter, believed to make up around a quarter of the Universe and widely considered to hold the key to understanding its origins.

The giant piece of scientific equipment, which sits underground beneath Geneva and runs for more than 16 miles, often attracts media attention and has even featured in a Dan Brown novel.

James Gillies, head of communication for CERN, admitted that the institute "very shamelessly" uses the collider to build a platform to promote particle physics and said they were always keen to make the most of Holywood's interest. However he added that the organisation is careful to show how the Higgs story was part of a broader push for scientific discovery.

The director of the science festival, Mark Lythgoe, agreed that PR had played a role in hyping up the quest for the Higgs but said CERN had successfully helped bring new attention to the importance of innovation in science.

Professor Higgs is one of six theorists credited with predicting the Higgs, a discovery widely credited as being one of the most important advances in modern science. He is expected to be awarded the Nobel Prize in October, though it is not yet known which three scientists will be picked for the award.